🌱 Georgia's Mental Health Day + Walton's Nonprofit Awareness

Hello again, and happy Monday! I'm back with today's edition of the Daily. Here's a glimpse at the local news you need to know right now, including...

• Local business owner indicted on federal charges for illegal sports betting organization.
• Gwinnett County Library continues to support local citizens at their Dacula branch this week with another food give-a-way.
• Only one suspect arrested this weekend in Atlanta riots is from the state of Georgia.

---

But first, today's weather:

It looks like we'll get a break from the rain, and we should get to enjoy a sunny afternoon. It's going to be chilly with a high of 48 and a low of 27, so you may want to grab your coat.

---

🏠 If you're a real estate agent in Loganville-Grayson, of course you're looking for a way to stand out from the crowd and attract new clients. We can help you do that with an exclusive sponsorship in the Loganville-Grayson Patch newsletter. Click here to learn more.

---

Here are the top stories in Loganville-Grayson today:

1. Atlanta Police have arrested six people in connection with the riot that erupted this weekend in Atlanta. Stemming from the shooting near Atlanta's proposed police training center, protestors gathered in downtown Atlanta to protest. What began as a peaceful protest turned into broken storefront windows, property damage, fires, and more. Only one of the suspects was a resident of Georgia. Each of the suspects has been charged with four misdemeanors and four felonies. (Fox 5 Atlanta)
2. The National Alliance on Mental Illness is the state's largest mental health advocacy group, and their work last year helped the Mental Health parity bill to pass requiring that all insurance companies must cover mental health care with the same benefits as physical health care. NAMI-Georgia, led by Miriam Goodfriend, will be at the Capitol on Jan.31 at 11 a.m. to participate in Georgia's Mental Health Day. Citizens are encouraged to speak to their legislators about the need for additional health care services, providers, and support. During a recent interview, Goodfriend spoke about Georgia's new mental health hotline #988, and the NAMI helpline can assist with finding providers at 770-234-0855. Register for the upcoming Mental Health Day at Mental Health Day at the Capitol. (Jazz WCLK)
3. IRS Criminal Investigations and Homeland Security Investigations led an investigation into a sports betting organization that resulted in the indictment, by a federal grand jury, of 11 people, including a local business owner. Joshua Gentrup, 38, of Athens, has owned Amici in Monroe since 2015. He was one of 11 people recently indicted by the U.S. District Attorney's Office. Gentrup's sports betting organization evaded tens of millions of dollars in excise taxes over a three year period. The charges against Gentrup include six counts of tax evasion, one count of conspiracy to operate an illegal sports-betting organization, one count of conspiring to commit money laundering, and two counts of money laundering. (Monroe Local)

Today in Loganville-Grayson:

• Lawrenceville Presbyterian Church is hosting Life Line Screenings. Call 888-837-8556 to schedule an appointment and receive a special rate. (9:00am)
• If you're planning to travel, the Grayson Library has an informational meeting to provide you with travel tips and passport information. (5:00pm-6:00pm)
• Just a short drive away, Revival Hall Taproom, in Jefferson, is hosting an 80's Trivia Night, and if your team of up to 6 people wear your 80's best, you'll get extra points! (6:30pm)

---

From my notebook:

• This week the Dacula Branch of the Gwinnett County Public Library will be hosting a Drive-Thru Food Pantry event in partnership with the Atlanta Community Food Bank. The event will take place on Tues., Jan.24 starting at 10 a.m. (Instagram)
• The Walton County DA's Office will host a Nonprofit Awareness Day on Feb.17 at the 1025 Church in Monroe, GA. Nonprofit organizations that are interested can still register for the event by calling the DA's office at 770-267-1355 and speaking with Aimee Oliver. The Nonprofit Awareness Day is a great opportunity for nonprofit organizations to learn about each other and discuss how they can work together to provide more services to local people who need them. The event is also open to the public, and people can talk with participating nonprofit groups about their services and benefits. (Monroe Local)

---

You're officially in the loop for today, and I hope this news helps you start your week off right. I'll see you back in your inbox tomorrow morning with another update!